Overcoming biochar limitations to remediate pentachlorophenol in soil by modifying its electrochemical properties

In this study, we produced modified biochars with enhanced electrochemical properties to increase PCP remediation in soil. Although all biochars enhanced PCP remediation in aerobic conditions, only a few did in anaerobic soil. The most successful modifications were (i) the preloading of biomass with 10% w/w FeCl3, to obtain a biochar rich in redox-active metals (B-Fe); (ii) the oxidation of a conductive biochar pyrolyzed at 1000 ºC with 0.025 M KMnO4, to produce a biochar with both moderate conductivity and redox capacity (B-1000-KMnO4); and (iii) KMnO4 oxidation of an amorphous biochar pyrolyzed at 400 ºC to obtain a biochar with very high redox capacity (B-KMnO4). B-Fe reduced extractable PCP to almost zero after 50 days in both incubations, but showed slow kinetics of remediation in aerobic soil. B-1000-KMnO4 had the highest rate of remediation under aerobic conditions, but no significant effect under anaerobic conditions. B-KMnO4, however, presented high rates of remediation and high removal of extractable PCP under both conditions, which made it the recommended modification strategy for increased PCP remediation. We found that the degree of remediation primarily depends on the redox capacity, while the rate of remediation was determined by both the conductivity and redox capacity of biochar

Influencia de la producción integrada del olivar sobre la calidad del aceite de oliva virgen

A study has been conducted to determine the influence of integrated olive production on the quality of extra virgin olive oil. On two different dates, samples from three different holdings were taken in integrated production (I) parcels, and in conventional production (C) parcels, both adjacent. The analytical determinations were free acidity, peroxide value, K232 and K270, fatty acid composition, esterols, phenolic compounds, tocopherols, stability to oxidation and sensory analysis. Most interesting among the results obtained were total contents of esterols and tocopherols, higher in olive oils of integrated production.Se ha realizado un estudio para ver la influencia de la producción integrada del olivar sobre la calidad del aceite de oliva virgen. Se tomaron muestras de aceitunas de tres fincas distintas, en parcelas correspondientes a olivar de secano, de producción integrada (I), y en parcelas adyacentes a estas de producción convencional (C), en dos fechas diferentes. Las determinaciones analíticas realizadas han sido acidez libre, índice de peróxidos, K232 y K270, composición de ácidos grasos, esteroles, compuestos fenólicos, tocoferoles, estabilidad oxidativa y análisis sensorial. En los resultados obtenidos destaca que los valores más altos de esteroles totales y tocoferoles corresponden a los aceites de producción integrada. Así mismo, los aceites de producción convencional presentan mayor contenido de fenoles totales y parecen ofrecer mayor estabilidad

Relationship between postharvest diseases resistance and mineral composition of citrus fruit

reen and blue moulds, due to the pathogenic action of Penicillium digitatum and Penicillium italicum respectively are the main cause of orange losses during postharvest. Under Mediterranean climate conditions, both together are responsible for 80% of total postharvest citrus fruit decay. The type of orchard production system, field location with different types of climate and soil has a main influence on mineral composition of fruits. The mineral composition of fruits can have a significant impact on fruit quality and shelf life during postharvest period. These include effects on fruit colour, texture, disease susceptibility, juice composition and development of physiological disorders. Oranges from different regions from South of Spain and Portugal and from three different production systems (conventional, integrated and organic) were studied to evaluate whether both factors (origin and production system) affected the degree of fruit sensitivity to decay. Results indicate that the sensitivity to green or blue mould is determined better by the origin of fruit than by the system of production.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Validation and reconstruction of flow meter data in the Barcelona water distribution network

12 páginas, 16 figuras, 1 tabla.-- El PDF es la versión pre-print.-- et al.This paper presents a signal analysis methodology to validate (detect) and reconstruct the missing and false data of a large set of flow meters in the telecontrol system of a water distribution network. The proposed methodology is based on two time-scale forecasting models: a daily model based on a ARIMA time series, while the 10-min model is based on distributing the daily flow using a 10-min demand pattern. The demand patterns have been determined using two methods: correlation analysis and an unsupervised fuzzy logic classification, named LAMDA algorithm. Finally, the proposed methodology has been applied to the Barcelona water distribution network, providing very good results.This work is part of a applied research project granted by ADASA and AGBAR companies. The authors also wish to thank the support received by the Research Commission of the Generalitat of Catalunya (Group SAC Ref. 2009 SGR 1491) and by CICYT (Ref. HYFA DPI2008-01996 and WATMAN DPI2009-13744) of Spanish Ministry of Education.Peer reviewe

Efecto de la refrigeración sobre la maduración del fruto del chirimoyo

Cherimoya fruits have a typically climateric ripening characterized, among other parameters, by a peak in the ethylene production that produces the senescence. Several attempts have been made in our Department in order to extend the shelf life of the fruits, but sorne undesirable reactions affecting the flavour are always produced. The most simple and natural treatment is the control of the storage temperature. With sorne precautions, it allows a considerable delay in the onset of senescence, making possible the marketing of the fruits in, previously, inaccessible markets.El fruto del chirimoyo presenta una maduración típicamente climatérica caracterizada, entre otros parámetros, por un pico muy acentuado de producción de etileno que conduce a la rápida senescencia. Varios intentos se han hecho en nuestro Departamento para tratar de prolongar la vida comercial de los frutos, pero en todos ellos se producen algunas reacciones indeseables que afectan a la palatabilidad. El tratamiento más natural es el control de la temperatura de almacenamiento, que con ciertas precauciones permite un retardo en la aparición de la senescencia, suficiente para alcanzar mercados de otra forma inaccesibles

Efecto de la refrigeración sobre la maduración del fruto del chirimoyo

El fruto del chirimoyo presenta una maduración típicamente climatérica caracterizada, entre otros parámetros, por un pico muy acentuado de producción de etileno que conduce a la rápida senescencia. Varios intentos se han hecho en nuestro Departamento para tratar de prolongar la vida comercial de los frutos, pero en todos ellos se producen algunas reacciones indeseables que afectan a la palatabilidad. El tratamiento más natural es el control de la temperatura de almacenamiento, que con ciertas precauciones permite un retardo en la aparición de la senescencia, suficiente para alcanzar mercados de otra forma inaccesibles.Cherimoya fruits have a typically climateric ripening characterized, among other parameters, by a peak in the ethylene production that produces the senescence. Several attempts have been made in our Department in order to extend the shelf life of the fruits, but sorne undesirable reactions affecting the flavour are always produced. The most simple and natural treatment is the control of the storage temperature. With sorne precautions, it allows a considerable delay in the onset of senescence, making possible the marketing of the fruits in, previously, inaccessible markets

Validation and reconstruction of flow meter data in the Barcelona water distribution network

This paper presents a signal analysis methodology to validate (detect) and reconstruct the missing and false data of a large set of flow meters in the telecontrol system of a water distribution network. The proposed methodology is based on two time-scale forecasting models: a daily model based on a ARIMA time series, while the 10-min model is based on distributing the daily flow using a 10-min demand pattern. The demand patterns have been determined using two methods: correlation analysis and an unsupervised fuzzy logic classification, named LAMDA algorithm. Finally, the proposed methodology has been applied to the Barcelona water distribution network, providing very good results.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author’s final draft